Miyu Yamashita extended her commanding lead, while Canadian teenager Aphrodite Deng made significant progress on Saturday at the CPKC Women’s Open in Edmonton. Yamashita, representing Japan, delivered an impressive 5-under-par 65 in the third round, bringing her total score to 19 under par at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton. With a six-stroke advantage heading into the final day of the $2.75 million US event, Yamashita aimed for her fourth LPGA victory and second of the season.
The 25-year-old bounced back from a lone bogey on the 17th hole with a closing birdie on the 18th, expressing her affinity for the course and her strong putting performance. Setting a new tournament record with a 54-hole score of 191, Yamashita matched the tournament record for the largest lead after 54 holes. Meanwhile, Gina Kim of the U.S. carded a 6-under 64, and Japan’s Yuri Yoshida posted a 66 to trail Yamashita at 13 under.
Calgary’s 16-year-old rising star, Aphrodite Deng, who claimed the low amateur title last year, surged up the leaderboard with a stellar round of 63, reaching 10 under and tying for sixth place. Deng showcased her talent and determination, emphasizing the importance of learning from past performances and minimizing errors.
In a noteworthy first for the tournament, four Canadian female golfers aged 18 and under, including Vancouver’s Anna Huang, Michelle Xing from Richmond Hill, Ont., and Clairey Lin from Langley, B.C., made the cut and continued competing over the weekend. Defending champion Brooke Henderson from Smiths Falls, Ont., recovered from a shaky start to finish at 7 under, trailing Yamashita by 12 strokes.
As the competition heats up, players like Henderson are focused on finishing strong and optimizing their performance. The final round forecast predicts a temperature of 26°C with potential forest fire smoke before thunderstorms later in the day. The supportive atmosphere and competitive spirit at the CPKC Women’s Open continue to drive excitement and showcase the talent of emerging young golfers alongside seasoned pros.